25 things I’ve learned in 25 years

The clock struck midnight — February 1. My 25 birthday; halfway to 50; a quarter of a century, if I’m lucky enough to live 100 years. I half-expected a Cinderella-esque transformation at that very stroke of midnight. Instead, I slept. My 25 birthday? Like any other day. I should’ve dropped birthday expectations long ago, but…

10 Things About Me

By Heather Nelson In an attempt to get back to blogging regularly, I thought it best to start — or restart — with a post about me. I’m not great at writing about myself. It’s almost like hearing the dreaded interview question, “So, tell me about yourself.” I’m bad at it. Where do you begin?…

End the stigma

By Heather Nelson   If you’re thinking or have thoughts of suicide or are concerned about someone you know or just need someone to talk to, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or chat with their counselors here. More resources found here. (All resources are FREE.)   The news that Chester Bennington, frontman…

Dreams

By Heather Nelson City of stars, Are you shining just for me? I saw “La La Land” with my sister last week. The film’s plot has seeped its way into my brain, the soundtrack on a constant loop in my mind. I can’t stop thinking about how the film connects to my life.  I left…

A toast to 2016

By Heather Nelson When they go low, we go high. — Michelle Obama 2016, you were quite a low. I’d hoped for better. I’d planned for better. I could complain about how much my year sucked and how many low points I went through, but I won’t. I learned incredibly tough life lessons.  I was…

An Open Letter to Big Papi

By Heather Nelson (Published October 11, 2016)   Dear Big Papi,   Thank you. Eleven-year-old Heather loved you, adored you. Without Big Papi the Red Sox wouldn’t be who they are today. The team I came to know and love (and hate) featured a character known for smashing dingers and flashing his toothy grin. “Is…

One year

By Heather Nelson The yellow of the sun illuminated my room, awakening me from a restless slumber. The sunlight was a sign of a new day — a day removed from the comfort of my fuzzy blankets and my dogs, who would definitely come to snuggle with me. I looked at the clock on my…

Bye 2015, hello 2016

By Heather Nelson Blogging about the year end makes me feel like a little piece of me has withered away. In a sense it has — I (could be) one year closer to dying.  (Or I could die in five minutes.) Regardless, I’m one of those people who hangs on to bits of the past….

My voice will be heard

By Heather Nelson To all female sports lovers, to my fellow female sports reporters, this is for you: For so long, I’ve been a part of the problem. I’ve added to the mix of bad blood. I’ve thought that to make it in sports I had to be the only woman, so that I stood…

Reflecting on 2013

I spent 2013 re-shaping myself as a writer. I perfected each style of writing. I enrolled in an assortment of classes that tested each skill. I acquired some new skills. I edited. I developed relationships with professors and other students in the journalism school. I worked at an unsuccessful student-led publication. I worked at a successful student-led publication….